Sir, David Pannick, QC, referring adversely to the fact that the Government intends to publish a Bill next week that will allow witnesses who fear intimidation to give evidence anonymously (Opinion, June 27), makes the assertion that legislation will not achieve the object of ensuring the conviction of the guilty. That may be true, but neither did the advent of trial by jury, nor evidence of an identification parade, nor, indeed, does the giving of parol evidence on oath from the dock ensure such an outcome. Surely the prime intention of the change in legislation is to allow witnesses to give their evidence without the fear of ending up with a bullet in the head. The alternative is often to allow vicious thugs to strengthen their grip on a community without fear of prosecution. Why not leave the question of fairness in a case where anonymous witnesses are used to the jury? After all, it isn’t only those in the dock that look for justice. How about the community?

Don Taylor
Tickenham, Somerset

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